METROPOLIS – Two Metropolis Police officers were given lifesaving awards at Monday’s Metropolis City Council meeting.

According to Police Chief Harry Masse, awards were given to Officer John Suggs and Officer Christian Cepeda by Chief Kirk Brueggeman, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Vice President, Region 1 and Chief of Police in O’Fallon, IL, and by Chief Masse.

Officer Suggs received his award due to his lifesaving efforts on May 27, 2023, where he performed CPR on an individual who quit breathing and was unresponsive.

Officer Cepeda received his award for his quick thinking after responding to an apartment building on fire on May 14, 2023. Being the first on the scene, he began evacuating residents. When nobody answered at one of the apartments, he forced his way in and led the occupants to safety.

Chief Masse says these actions brought great credit to themselves and the Metropolis Police Department and thanks them for a job well done.